Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of lactation on the lipid profile and body mass index (BMI) of lactating mothers. Serum samples were collected from 100 apparently healthy participants: 68 lactating women (Test group) and 32 non-lactating women (Control group), aged between 21-40 years. Biochemical parameters including: Total Cholesterol (TCHL), Triglycerides (TG), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low density lipoprotein (LDL) were analyzed using standard laboratory methods. A standard Height and Weight measurement Unit was used to measure the height (m) and weight (Kg) of the participants and their BMI thereafter calculated using the formula (Kg/m2). The mean and standard deviation values of TCHL, TG, HDL, LDL, Weight, Height and BMI for the Test and Control groups were: 155.40±47.74 and 127±33.90 mg/dl, respectively, 99.88±32.34 and 91.65±28.17 mg/dl, respectively, 93.13±38.20 and 82.29±38.20 mg/dl, respectively, 61.08±6.57 and 64.79±9.50 Kg, respectively, 1.65±0.08 and 1.68±0.09 m, respectively, 22.47±3.50 and 22.99±2.96 Kg/m2, respectively. TCHL, TG, HDL and LDL were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the lactating women than in the Control group, except Weight which was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the former. There was no significant difference in the height and BMI of the Test and Control groups. Also, from the study, there was no significant correlation between TCHL, TG, HDL and LDL when compared against BMI. Furthermore, a significant correlation (P<0.05) was observed in TG when compared to Weight, but other parameters like TCHL, HDL and LDL were insignificant against weight. The outcome of this study shows that lactation increases the lipid profile of lactating women, but not their body mass index (BMI).